JP5950676B2 - Cleaning unit, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning unit and a process cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material (recording medium) using an electrophotographic system (electrophotographic image forming process).

  Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a word processor, and a multifunction machine (multifunction printer) thereof.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “image forming apparatus”), an electrophotographic photosensitive member that is generally a drum type as an image carrier, that is, a photosensitive drum is uniformly charged. Next, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive drum by selectively exposing the charged photosensitive drum. Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image with toner as a developer. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or a plastic sheet, and further, heat or pressure is applied to the toner image transferred onto the recording material to form the toner image on the recording material. Image recording is performed by fixing.

  Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. In order to facilitate this toner replenishment and maintenance, the photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc. are put together into a cartridge to form a cartridge, and a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body is put into practical use. Has been.

  According to this process cartridge system, since the user can perform maintenance of the apparatus himself, the operability can be remarkably improved, and an image forming apparatus excellent in usability can be provided. For this reason, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  As described above, the process cartridge is provided with a cleaning member as a cleaning unit that removes toner (residual toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum after the transfer process from the photosensitive drum. In some cases, it is desired to rotatably support the cleaning member that contacts the photosensitive drum.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that a cleaning member is rotatably supported with respect to a frame body. That is, in Patent Document 1, a cleaning blade support member is rotatably supported by a frame body via a pin, and the cleaning blade is pressed against the photoconductor using a spring.

JP-A-6-161328

  However, for example, in the configuration in which the cleaning member is rotatably supported using the pins as described above, there is a problem that the number of parts increases, the cost is increased, and the configuration tends to be complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning unit that rotatably supports the cleaning member by a frame body with a simple configuration without using a separate member such as a pin, and enables a reduction in manufacturing cost and simple assembly, A process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus are provided.

The above object is achieved by a cleaning unit, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides a cleaning unit having a rotatable photosensitive drum, a cleaning member that removes toner from the photosensitive drum, and a frame that supports the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member. The cleaning member includes an elastic member that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum and a support member that supports the elastic member, and the support member has both ends in a direction along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum. Each of the parts has a frame contact part that contacts the frame, and the frame contact part includes a first contact part and a second contact part configured by surfaces extending in directions intersecting each other. And the first abutting portion has a first axis that faces the elastic member from the frame abutting portion when viewed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum. Opposite to the body drum side The second abutting portion is directed to the side opposite to the elastic member side with respect to a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, and the frame is formed of the support member. A cleaning member support portion that contacts the frame body contact portion at each of the both ends , and a restriction that restricts movement of the frame body contact portion in a direction in which the first contact portion moves away from the first support portion. And the cleaning member support part includes a first support part that contacts the first contact part and a second support part that contacts the second contact part, and the cleaning member support part The member is supported so as to be rotatable about the frame body contact portion as a rotation axis, and the restricting portion is configured to allow the cleaning member to rotate about the frame body contact portion as a rotation axis. with a predetermined interval to face from the photosensitive drum side with respect to the restricted portion of the cleaning member, The cleaning unit further includes an urging member that urges the cleaning member in a direction in which the cleaning member is rotated about the frame abutting portion as a rotation axis to bring the elastic member into contact with the photosensitive drum. This is a cleaning unit.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the cleaning includes a rotatable photosensitive drum, a cleaning member that removes toner from the photosensitive drum, and a frame that supports the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member. In the unit, the cleaning member includes an elastic member that contacts the photosensitive drum, and a support member that supports the elastic member, and the support member extends in a direction along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum. Each of the both end portions has a frame contact portion that contacts the frame, and the frame contact portion includes a first contact portion configured by surfaces extending in directions intersecting each other, and a second contact portion. The first abutment portion with respect to the first axis line from the frame abutment portion toward the elastic member when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum. What is the photosensitive drum side? The second contact portion is directed to the opposite side to the elastic member side with respect to the second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, and the frame is supported by the support Each of the both end portions of the member has a cleaning member support portion that contacts the frame contact portion, and the cleaning member support portion includes a first support portion that contacts the first contact portion, and the second support portion. A second support part that contacts the contact part, and supports the cleaning member so as to be rotatable about the frame contact part as a rotation shaft, and the first support part and the second support part. The cross section of the photosensitive drum viewed along the rotational axis direction is an arc shape or a projection shape having a vertex, and the cleaning unit further includes the frame member abutting portion as a rotation axis and the cleaning member. Is rotated to bring the elastic member into contact with the photosensitive drum. The cleaning unit is provided, characterized in that it comprises a biasing member for urging said cleaning member in the direction of.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus has the cleaning unit of the present invention, and is detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to a recording material, fixes the toner image, and outputs the toner image. Process cartridges are provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to the present invention, wherein the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording material, fixed, and output. An apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, the cleaning member can be pivotably supported by the frame body with a simple configuration without using another member such as a pin, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced and simple assembly can be achieved.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on one Example of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developing unit in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the cleaning frame in one example of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the cleaning member in one Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the cleaning unit which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit explaining the force which acts on the cleaning member in one example of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit in one example of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit in one example of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the cleaning unit in one Example of this invention. It is a partial exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary perspective view of the cleaning frame which shows the other structural example of the support part in one Example of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit which shows the other structural example of the support part in one Example of this invention. It is the front view and sectional drawing which show the other structural example of the support part in one Example of this invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cleaning unit which concerns on the other Example of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit concerning other examples of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit concerning other examples of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit concerning other examples of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit concerning other examples of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning member in still another embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view and partial expansion perspective view of the cleaning frame in other Example of this invention. It is the perspective view and partial expansion perspective view of the cleaning frame body and cleaning member in other Example of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit which shows the positioning area | region of the positioning part in the further another Example of this invention. It is a principal part schematic diagram of the cleaning frame which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of the to-be-positioned surface in other Example of this invention, and a cleaning member. It is a principal part schematic diagram of the cleaning frame which shows the other modification of this invention, and a cleaning member.

  Hereinafter, the cleaning unit, the process cartridge, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
1. First, the overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes, as a plurality of image forming units, first, second, and third images for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) images, respectively. And fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK.

  In this embodiment, the configurations and operations of the first to fourth image forming units are substantially the same except that the colors of the images to be formed are different. Accordingly, in the following, when there is no particular need for distinction, Y, M, C, and K at the end of a symbol representing an element of any one of the image forming units will be omitted for general explanation.

  The main body (apparatus main body) 100A of the image forming apparatus 100 includes four process cartridges 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth image forming sections S, respectively. These are detachably mounted by a mounting member (not shown). In this embodiment, the process cartridge 70 is provided side by side with respect to the horizontal direction in the apparatus main body 100A.

  Here, the upstream side of the mounting direction of the image forming apparatus 100 of the process cartridge 70 (the direction from the front side to the back side in FIG. 1) is the front side, and the downstream side is the back side.

  The process cartridge 70 includes a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, the photosensitive drum 1. Around the photosensitive drum 1, process means such as a charging roller 2, a developing roller 25, and a cleaning member 6 are integrally disposed. The charging roller 2 is charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 25 is a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with a toner to make a visible image. The cleaning member 6 is a cleaning unit for removing the toner (residual toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 from the photosensitive drum 1 after the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording material P. .

  The apparatus main body 100A is provided with a scanner unit 3 positioned below the four process cartridges 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K. The scanner unit 3 is an exposure unit for selectively exposing each of the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K based on the image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.

  In addition, a cassette 17 in which the recording material P is stored is attached to the lower part of the apparatus main body 100A. Further, the apparatus main body 100A is provided with a recording material conveying means for conveying the recording material P stored in the cassette 17. The recording material conveying unit conveys the recording material P through the secondary transfer roller 69 and the fixing unit 74 and conveys the recording material P upward to the apparatus main body 100A. The fixing unit 74 is disposed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 100A. The recording material conveying means includes a feeding roller 54 that separates and feeds the recording material P in the cassette 17 one by one, a conveying roller pair 76 that conveys the fed recording material P, and a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. A registration roller pair 55 for synchronizing the image and the recording material P is provided.

  The apparatus main body 100A is provided with an intermediate transfer unit 5 positioned above the four process cartridges 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K. The intermediate transfer unit 5 is an intermediate transfer unit for transferring the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to the recording material P. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt 9 that is an endless belt-like intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer belt 9 is stretched around a driving roller 56, a driven roller 57, primary transfer rollers 58Y, 58M, 58C, and 58K, and a secondary transfer counter roller 59. The primary transfer rollers 58Y, 58M, 58C, and 58K are disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The secondary transfer facing roller 59 is disposed at a position facing the secondary transfer roller 69.

  The primary transfer roller 58 is primary transfer means for transferring (primary transfer) the toner on the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt 9. The secondary transfer roller 69 is secondary transfer means for transferring (secondary transfer) the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to the recording material P. The primary transfer roller 58 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 1 via the intermediate transfer belt 9 to form a primary transfer portion (primary transfer position) N1 where the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 9 are in contact with each other. . The secondary transfer roller 69 is pressed against the secondary transfer counter roller 59 via the intermediate transfer belt 9, and passes through the secondary transfer portion (secondary transfer position) N2 where the intermediate transfer belt 9 and the secondary transfer roller 69 are in contact with each other. Forming.

  The intermediate transfer belt 9 circulates and moves so as to face and be in contact with all the photosensitive drums 1. Then, by applying a voltage to each primary transfer roller 58, primary transfer of the toner image from each photosensitive drum 1 onto the intermediate transfer belt 9 is performed. Further, when a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 69, secondary transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 9 to the recording material P is performed.

  The flow of the image forming operation will be described taking color image formation as an example. At the time of image formation, in each image forming unit S, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 in the drawing. The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2. The charged photosensitive drum 1 is selectively exposed by the scanner unit 3. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner supplied by the developing roller 25. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on each photosensitive drum 1.

  The toner images of the respective colors on the respective photosensitive drums 1 are sequentially primary-transferred so as to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 9 that rotates in the direction of arrow R2 in the drawing at each primary transfer portion N1. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner of the toner image is applied to each primary transfer roller 58.

  The recording material P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 by the registration roller pair 55 so as to be synchronized with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 9. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 9 is secondarily transferred to the recording material P at the secondary transfer portion N2. At this time, a secondary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner of the toner image is applied to the secondary transfer roller 69. As a result, a color image toner image composed of toner images of the respective colors is formed on the recording material P.

  The recording material P on which the color image toner image is formed is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 74. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the recording material P. Thereafter, the recording material P is discharged to the discharge portion 75 by the discharge roller 72. In this way, a recorded image is output.

2. Process Cartridge Next, the process cartridge 70 in this embodiment will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 70.

  In this embodiment, the cartridge 70Y containing yellow toner, the cartridge 70M containing magenta toner, the cartridge 70C containing cyan toner, and the cartridge 70K containing black toner are substantially the same. It is a configuration.

  The process cartridge 70 includes the cleaning unit 26 and the developing unit 4. In general, the process cartridge is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit acting as a process unit are integrally formed into a cartridge. It can be attached to and detached from the main body. In the present invention, the process cartridge has at least the cleaning unit according to the present invention.

  The cleaning unit 26 includes the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the cleaning member 6, and a cleaning frame body 27 that supports them. In the cleaning unit 26, the charging roller 2 and the cleaning member 6 are disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  The cleaning member 6 includes a rubber blade 7 that is a blade-like elastic member formed of rubber as an elastic material, and a support member 8 that supports the rubber blade 7. The rubber blade 7 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 in a counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. That is, the rubber blade 7 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 so that the tip end portion 7 a faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning member 6 falls into a removed toner chamber 27 a formed by the cleaning frame 27. Further, a squeeze sheet 21 for preventing the removed toner in the removed toner chamber 27a from leaking is provided at the edge of the cleaning frame 27 facing the photosensitive drum 1 so as to contact the photosensitive drum 1. Yes. The squeeze sheet 21 is a sheet member using polyester.

  The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow R1 in the drawing according to the image forming operation by transmitting the driving force of a main body driving motor (not shown) as a driving source to the cleaning unit 26.

  The charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the cleaning unit 26 via a charging roller bearing 28 on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 27 (substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1). The charging roller 2 is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 1 by the charging roller bearing 28 being pressed toward the photosensitive drum 1 by the charging roller pressing member 46. The charging roller 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R3 in the figure following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1.

  The developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 25 and a developing frame 31 that supports the developing roller 25. The developing roller 25 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 and is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R4 in the figure. In the developing unit 4, a toner supply roller 34 for supplying toner to the developing roller 25 and a developing blade 35 for regulating the toner layer on the developing roller 25 are respectively provided on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. It is arranged in contact with. The toner supply roller 34 contacts the developing roller 25 and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R5 in the figure. The developing roller 25 and the toner supply roller 34 are connected to both ends of the developing frame 31 in the longitudinal direction (substantially parallel to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1) via a pre-developing bearing 12 and a developing back bearing 13, respectively. The developer frame 31 is rotatably supported (FIGS. 2 and 4). Further, the blowout prevention sheet (development contact sheet) 20 for preventing the toner from leaking from the development frame 31 is in contact with the development roller 25 so that the edge of the development frame 31 facing the development roller 25. Provided in the department. Further, a toner carrying member 36 is provided in the toner storage chamber 31 a formed by the developing frame 31. The toner transport member 36 agitates the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 31 a and transports the toner to the toner supply roller 34.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge 70. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the developing unit 4.

  The developing unit 4 is swingably attached to the cleaning unit 26 by a front support pin 14 and a back support pin 15 that are press-fitted into both longitudinal ends of the cleaning frame 27. In addition, a drum front bearing 10 and a drum back bearing 11 that rotatably support the photosensitive drum 1 are provided at both ends of the cleaning frame 27 in the longitudinal direction. The drum back bearing 11 supports a drum coupling 16 coupled to the photosensitive drum 1. The drum front bearing 10 supports the flange 85. In the present embodiment, the drum front bearing 10 and the drum back bearing 11 (second frame portion) are coupled to and integrated with the cleaning frame body (first frame portion) 27A. Accordingly, the drum front bearing 10 and the drum back bearing 11 together with the cleaning frame body 27 </ b> A constitute a cleaning frame body 27 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning member 6. However, the drum front bearing 10 and the drum back bearing 11 may be configured integrally with the cleaning frame body 27A.

  The developing unit 4 includes a developing frame 31 and a pre-development bearing 12 and a developing back bearing 13 that rotatably support the developing roller 25 and the toner supply roller 34 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The developing unit 4 is urged to the cleaning unit 26 by a pressure spring 38 provided on the developing frame 31 and a tension spring 39 provided on the pre-development bearing 12. The pressure spring 38 and the tension spring 39 are pressure members that apply pressure to the developing roller 25 in order to bring the developing roller 25 into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 when the process cartridge 70 forms an image. The pressure spring 38 is disposed as a compression spring between the cleaning frame 27 and the developing frame 31. Further, the tension spring 39 is hung at both ends of the pre-development bearing 12 and the drum front bearing 10 as tension springs. By the pressure spring 38 and the tension spring 39, the developing unit 4 swings with respect to the cleaning unit 26 around the holes 12a and 13a of the pre-development bearing 12 and the developing back bearing 13, and the developing roller 25 rotates the photosensitive drum. A pressing force for abutting 1 is applied.

  In the contact development method in which development is performed by contact between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 25, the photosensitive drum 1 is preferably a rigid body, and the developing roller 25 is preferably a roller having an elastic body. As this elastic body, a solid rubber single layer or a solid rubber layer coated with a resin coating in consideration of the charge imparting property to the toner is used.

3. Next, the method for supporting the cleaning member 6 of the cleaning unit 26 in this embodiment will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, the cleaning member 6 that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 27 in order to reduce the rotational torque of the photosensitive drum 1. Here, as described above, if another member such as a pin is used to rotatably support the cleaning member 6, the number of parts increases, the cost is increased, and the configuration becomes complicated. easy.

  The main purpose of this embodiment is to support the cleaning member so that it can be rotated by a frame body with a simple structure without using another member such as a pin, thereby enabling reduction in manufacturing cost and simple assembly. is there.

  Hereinafter, the one end portion (front end portion) side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 70 (substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1) will be described in detail, but the other end portion (back end portion) side is also described. Unless otherwise noted, the configuration is similar (substantially symmetrical).

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inner surface 27A1 side of the cleaning frame 27 (particularly, the cleaning frame body 27A). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one end (front end) of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction (substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1) as viewed from the inner surface 27A1 side of the cleaning frame 27. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the cleaning unit 26.

  The cleaning unit 26 includes a rotatable photosensitive drum 1, a cleaning member 6 that removes toner from the photosensitive drum, a cleaning frame 27 that serves as a frame that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning member 6, and Have The cleaning member 6 includes an elastic member 7 that abuts on the photosensitive drum 1 and a support member 8 that supports the elastic member 7. In the present embodiment, as described above, the elastic member 7 is a rubber blade formed of rubber as an elastic material. Further, in this embodiment, the support member 8 is formed by punching a metal plate, which is a flat metal plate material, by press working to form an outer shape. As the rubber material of the rubber blade 7, urethane rubber can be suitably used. Moreover, as a material of the supporting member 7, a plated steel plate can be used suitably. Alternatively, a stainless steel plate may be used.

  In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support member 8 is formed of a single continuous sheet metal punched by pressing at a predetermined position (bent portion) 8D in the short direction. It is formed by bending over the entire direction. Thereby, the support member 8 has a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. In the present embodiment, the bending portion 8D has a cross section viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 curved in an arc shape. That is, the support member 8 includes a plate-like main portion 8A substantially parallel to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and a reinforcing portion 8B bent in a direction intersecting the main portion 8A at the bent portion 8D. Have. In this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 8B is bent so as to protrude toward the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the main portion 8A. This suppresses the cleaning member 6 from being bent in the longitudinal direction when the photosensitive drum 1 is attached to the cleaning frame 27. In this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 8B is bent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main portion 8A, but is not limited to this. In the main portion 8A of the support member 8, the side surface on the inner surface 27A1 side of the cleaning frame 27 is defined as a first side surface 8A1, and the side surface on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1 is defined as a second side surface 8A2. The rubber blade 7 is coupled and integrated with an end portion on the opposite side to the bent portion 8D in the short direction of the main portion 8A of the support member 8. The rubber blade 7 is continuously provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the main portion 8 </ b> A of the support member 8.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning frame body 27 is provided with a cleaning member support portion (hereinafter also simply referred to as “support portion”) 27 b for supporting the cleaning member 6. The support portion 27b is provided with a first support portion 27y and a second support portion 27x for contacting the cleaning member 6. The support portion 27b will be described in detail later.

  Further, the cleaning frame body 27 is provided with a seal member 40 for sealing a gap between the cleaning frame body 27 and the cleaning member 6. The seal member 40 seals between the cleaning blade 27 and the rubber blade 7 and the support member 8 in the vicinity of the end in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 6. Further, the seal member 40 seals between the support member 8 and the cleaning frame body 27 in the vicinity of the end of the main portion 8A of the support member 8 on the side opposite to the short side rubber blade 7. Further, the cleaning frame 27 is provided with an end seal 50 for sealing a gap between the cleaning frame 27, the cleaning member 6, and the photosensitive drum 1. The end seal 50 is provided between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning frame body 27 and between the rubber blade 7 and the cleaning frame body in the vicinity of the corner on the tip end portion 7a side of the rubber blade 8 at the end in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 6. 27 is sealed.

  Here, the seal member 40 is an elastic seal member using foamed polyurethane or elastomer. The end seal member 50 is a seal member using pile, nonwoven fabric, felt or the like.

  The cleaning frame 27 is provided with a boss 27c as a frame-side biasing member mounting portion for mounting a tension spring 29 (FIG. 7) as a biasing member to be described later. In the present embodiment, the boss 27c is a substantially cylindrical protrusion provided so as to stand on the inner surface 27A1 of the cleaning frame 27. A claw-shaped locking portion 27 c 1 that locks one end portion 29 a of the tension spring 29 is formed at the tip of the boss 27.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a frame body abutting portion that abuts against the cleaning frame body 27 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “abutting portion”) at the longitudinal end of the main portion 8 </ b> A of the support member 8. 8a protrudes. The cleaning member 6 contacts the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27 at the contact portion 8a, and is supported by the cleaning frame body 27 so as to be rotatable (swingable) with the contact portion 8a as a rotation axis.

  In the present embodiment, the contact portion 8a has a substantially orthogonal tetrahedral shape in which one side surface is continuous with the end side surface in the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A of the support member 8. And the side surface which is the same plane as 1st side surface 8A1 of the main part 8 of the supporting member 8 among the side surfaces of this contact part 8a becomes the 1st contact part 8y mentioned later. Of the side surfaces of the contact portion 8a, the side surface opposite to the rubber blade 7 in the short direction of the main portion 8A is a second contact portion 8x described later.

  Here, when viewed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the rubber blade 7 is moved along the axis of the main portion 8A of the support member 8 (substantially parallel to the first side surface 8A1 or the second side surface 8A2). The direction toward the tip 7a is defined as the X direction. Further, a direction perpendicular to the X direction and directed to the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the cleaning member 6 when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is defined as a Y direction. In addition, a direction opposite to the X direction is defined as -X direction, and a direction opposite to the Y direction is defined as -Y direction. The first axis from the contact portion 8a toward the rubber blade 7 when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is a direction along the X direction. Further, the second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis is a direction along the Y direction.

  The contact portion 8a includes a first contact portion 8y that contacts the first support portion 27y of the support portion 27b, and a second contact portion 8x that contacts the second support portion 27x of the support portion 27b. ing. In the present embodiment, the first contact portion 8y is configured by a surface of the contact portion 8a facing the Y direction, and the second contact portion 8x is the side facing the −X direction of the contact portion 8a. It is composed of

  As described above, the support member 8 has the contact portions 8 a that contact the cleaning frame 27 at both ends in the direction along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. This contact part 8a has the 1st contact part 8y comprised by the surface extended in the direction which mutually cross | intersects, and the 2nd contact part 8x. The first abutting portion 8a faces the side opposite to the photosensitive drum side with respect to the first axis when viewed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and the second abutting portion 8a The part 8x faces the side opposite to the elastic member side with respect to the second axis.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the support member 8 is formed of a sheet metal punched by press working. Therefore, the second contact portion 8x becomes a processed surface (punched surface) in press working. In this case, the surfaces of the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x are substantially orthogonal. However, the surfaces of the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x may intersect at other angles as desired.

  Further, the supporting member 8 of the cleaning member 6 is provided with an urging member attaching portion (hereinafter simply referred to as “attaching portion”) 8 b for attaching the tension spring 29. In the present embodiment, the attachment portion 8 b is formed at the distal end of the longitudinal end portion of the reinforcing portion 8 </ b> B of the support member 8. A claw-shaped locking portion 8b1 that locks one end portion 29b of the tension spring 29 is formed at the tip of the attachment portion 8b. As described above, in this embodiment, the tension spring 29 is moved from the main portion 8A toward the photosensitive drum 1 along the direction intersecting the main portion 8A of the support member 8 (a direction substantially orthogonal in the present embodiment). An urging force is applied to the protruding action part.

  More specifically, FIG. 7 shows a state where the cleaning member 6 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 when the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary.

  The cleaning frame body 27 is provided with a first support portion 27y and a second support portion 27x at positions facing the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x of the cleaning member 6, respectively. The first support portion 27y is in contact with the first contact portion 8y and receives a force in the Y direction that acts on the cleaning member 6. The second support portion 27x receives a force in the −X direction that acts on the cleaning member 6 in contact with the second contact portion 8x.

  As described above, the cleaning frame 27 has the support portions 27b that come into contact with the contact portions 8a at both ends of the support member 7 in the direction along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The support portion 27b includes a first support portion 27y that comes into contact with the first contact portion 8y and a second support portion 8x that comes into contact with the second contact portion 8x. 8a is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis.

  Here, the rotation center (swing center) 8c of the cleaning member 6 is generally a straight line extending in the −Y direction from the contact position (contact point) between the first support portion 27y and the first contact portion 8y, and the second center. This is the intersection of the straight line extending in the X direction from the contact position of the support portion 27x and the second contact portion 8x. That is, when viewed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, a straight line extending along the second axis from the contact position between the first contact portion 8y and the first support portion 27y, and a second contact This is an intersection of a straight line extending along the first axis from the contact position between the contact portion 8x and the second support portion 27x.

  Further, in order to bring the rubber blade 7 of the cleaning member 6 into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, one end portion 29 b of the tension spring 29 is attached to the attachment portion 8 b of the support member 8, and the boss 27 c of the cleaning frame body 27 is attached. The other end 29a of the tension spring 29 is attached. Due to the urging force of the tension spring 29, a rotational moment is applied to the cleaning member 6 around the rotation center 8c, and the tip 7a of the rubber blade 7 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1.

  As described above, the cleaning unit 26 serves as an urging member that urges the cleaning member 6 in a direction in which the cleaning member 6 is rotated about the contact portion 8 a as a rotation axis to bring the rubber blade 7 into contact with the photosensitive drum 1. The tension spring 29 is provided.

  When the photosensitive drum 1 rotates during image formation or the like, the rubber blade 7 of the cleaning member 6 moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. In this case, the cleaning member 6 rotates about the contact portion 8a as a rotation axis. More specifically, the second contact portion 8x of the contact portion 8a rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure around the rotation center 8c.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x are formed such that a cross section viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 has an arc shape. More specifically, in this embodiment, the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27 has a substantially L-shaped cross section viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 provided to protrude from the inner surface 27A1 of the cleaning frame body 27. It is formed on the letter-shaped base part 27b1. The first support part 27y is formed on the vertical base part 27b2 along the X direction of the base part 27b1. The second support portion 27x is formed on the horizontal base portion 27b3 along the −Y direction of the base portion 27b1. The cleaning member 6 is supported at two points on the outer peripheral surface of the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x in the cross section viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. That is, the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x are lines extending along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, respectively, the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x. To touch. Thus, by making the cross section of the 1st support part 27y and the 2nd support part 27x into circular arc shape, contact resistance with the contact part 8a can be reduced and the movement of the cleaning member 6 can be made smoother. .

  Next, the force F acting on the cleaning member 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the cleaning unit 26 showing the force F acting on the cleaning member 6.

  As the force F acting on the cleaning member 6, the drum contact force F <b> 1 by bringing the rubber blade 7 into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a desired pressing force, the friction force F <b> 2 by driving the photosensitive drum 1, and the seal member 40. There is a repulsive force F3 due to and a spring tension F4 due to the tension spring 29.

  The force Fx in the X direction of the force F received by the cleaning member 6 is a resultant force Fx of the X component F1x of the drum contact force F1, the X component F2x of the frictional force F2, the X component F3x of the repulsive force F3, and the X component F4x of the spring tension F4. = F1x + F2x + F3x + F4x. Note that F2x = 0 when the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary.

  On the other hand, the force Fy in the Y direction of the force F received by the cleaning member 6 includes the Y component F1y of the drum contact force F1, the Y component F2y of the frictional force F2, the Y component F3y of the repulsive force F3, and the Y component F4y of the spring tension F4. The resultant force Fy = F1y + F2y + F3y + F4y. Note that F2y = 0 when the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary.

  The resultant force F of the X and Y components Fx and Fy is such that the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x are in contact with the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x, respectively. The X and Y components Fx and Fy are determined. For example, the resultant force F can be adjusted by the tension of the tension spring 29 and the tension direction. With this resultant force F, the cleaning member 6 can be stably supported on the cleaning frame 27. That is, by adjusting the resultant force F received by the cleaning member 6 in this way, the first and second contact portions 8y and 8x and the first and second support portions 27y and 27x are always in contact with each other when the process cartridge 70 is used. The cleaning member 8 can be rotated in the contacted state.

  In this embodiment, the cleaning member 6 is supported by the resultant force F in consideration of the repulsive force F3 by the seal member 40. However, for example, when the repulsive force by the seal member 40 is low, the repulsive force F3 may be negligible. For example, in order to seal the gap between the cleaning member 6 and the cleaning frame body 27, a structure in which foaming urethane foam or the like is injected after the cleaning member 6 is assembled to the cleaning frame body 27 is used as a sealing member is also conceivable. . In this case, since the force applied from the seal member to the cleaning member 6 is very small, the cleaning member 6 can be supported without considering the repulsive force F3 by the seal member 40. In this embodiment, the influence of the self weight of the cleaning member 6 on the resultant force F with respect to the drum contact force F1, the friction force F2, the repulsive force F3, and the spring tension F4 can be ignored. In some cases, the resultant force F needs to be adjusted in consideration.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the contact portion 8a is formed by sheet metal pressing (punching). Therefore, the side surface of the contact portion 8a facing the second support portion 27x as the second contact portion 8x is formed by the shear region L1 and the fracture region L2. In the present embodiment, the second support portion 27x is brought into contact with the shear region L1 as the second contact portion 8x. That is, the dimension is usually defined in the shear region on the press working surface of the sheet metal. Therefore, the shear region L1 as the second contact portion 8x is easy to obtain dimensional accuracy, and the performance of the cleaning member 6 can be stabilized. Further, the surface roughness of the pressed surface of the sheet metal is smaller in the shear region than in the fracture region. Therefore, by bringing the second support portion 27x into contact with the shear region L1, the support position of the cleaning member 6 can be stabilized and the second support portion 27x can be prevented from being scraped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance from the contact position between the first contact portion 8y and the first support portion 27y to the rotation center 8c is D1, the second contact portion 8x and the second support portion 27x, The distance from the contact position to the rotation center 8c is D2. At this time, the distance D1 and the distance D2 are substantially equidistant (D1≈D2). That is, the first support part 27y and the second support part 27x are arranged so that the distance D1 and the distance D2 have such a relationship. With such an arrangement, when the cleaning member 6 is rotated due to the shake of the photosensitive drum 1 during image formation or the like, the amount of positional deviation at which the rotation center 8c moves at the contact portion 8a is minimized. Can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the distance from the rotation center 8c to the tip 7a of the rubber blade 7 is M1, and from the rotation center 8c to the attachment portion of the support member 8 (acting portion of the biasing member) 8b. Is the distance M2. At this time, the distance M1 and the distance M2 are set to be substantially equidistant (M1≈M2). That is, the tip portion 7a of the rubber blade 7, the rotation center 8c, and the attachment portion 8b are arranged so that the distance M1 and the distance M2 have such a relationship. With such an arrangement, the change in the contact pressure of the cleaning member 6 against the photosensitive drum 1 due to the variation of the tension spring 29 and the cleaning member 6 in a cross section seen along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. It is possible to achieve both reductions in size.

  When M1> M2, the cleaning member 6 can be thinned in the Y direction, but it is necessary to increase the urging force for bringing the rubber blade 7 into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a desired pressing force. Therefore, in order to increase the spring force of the tension spring 29, it may be necessary to increase the thickness of the sheet metal of the support member 8 that supports the tension spring 29. Further, it may be necessary to increase the strength of the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame 27. These may cause an increase in cost. On the other hand, in the case of M1 <M2, the spring force of the tension spring 29 can be reduced, but by increasing the protrusion amount of the attachment portion 8b with respect to the main portion 8A of the support portion 8, the size of the process cartridge 70 in the same direction increases. As a result, the size of the apparatus main body 100A may increase. On the other hand, the arrangement satisfying the relationship of M1≈M2 as described above provides a good balance between the size and strength of the process cartridge 70. Therefore, in this embodiment, the arrangement satisfies the relationship of M1≈M2.

4). Assembly Procedure Next, an assembly procedure of the cleaning unit 26 in the present embodiment will be described. 12 and 13 are exploded perspective views of the cleaning unit 26 for explaining the assembly procedure of the cleaning unit 26. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, first, the cleaning member 6 is temporarily placed such that the contact portion 8a of the cleaning member 6 abuts against the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame 27.

  Next, the charging roller bearing 28 and the charging roller pressing member 46 are mounted on the receiving portion 27e of the cleaning frame 27 (FIG. 12). Thereafter, the charging roller 2 is attached to the charging roller bearing 28 to attach the charging roller 2 to the cleaning frame 27 (FIG. 13).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the flange 85 of the photosensitive drum 1 is temporarily placed on the drum positioning portion 27 d of the cleaning frame 27. The inner diameter dimension of the drum positioning portion 27d is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the flange 85 of the photosensitive drum 1, and temporarily determines the position of the photosensitive drum 1 on the cleaning frame 27.

  Next, the drum front bearing 10 is mounted on the cleaning frame 27 from the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The drum front bearing 10 includes a rotation shaft support portion 10a of the photosensitive drum 1, and the drum front bearing 10 is attached to the cleaning frame 27, whereby the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotation shaft support portion 10a are mutually connected. Is positioned. Here, the bearing positioning portion 10b of the drum front bearing 10 and the drum positioning portion 27d of the cleaning frame body 27 are formed to have a size to be fitted to each other. The position of the front bearing 10 is determined. Further, the drum front bearing 10 and the cleaning frame 27 are provided with positioning means (not shown) for positioning in the cross-sectional direction (rotational direction) substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. By engaging these, positioning in the cross-sectional direction is performed.

  In this state, the drum front bearing 10 and the cleaning frame body 27 are fixed by a fixing means such as a screw 30, and the attachment of the drum front bearing 10 to the cleaning frame body 27 is completed.

  Finally, a tension spring 29 is stretched between the attachment portion 8b of the cleaning member 6 and the boss 27c of the cleaning frame 27 (FIGS. 12 and 13).

  Here, the assembly procedure of the cleaning unit 26 has been described focusing on one end portion (front end portion) in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit 26, but the same procedure as described above is synchronized with the other end portion (back end portion). And do it. At the other end (back end) of the cleaning unit 26, the drum back bearing 11 is attached to the cleaning frame 27 by the same method as described above.

  As a result, the assembly of the cleaning unit 26 is completed, and the cleaning member 6 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure so that cleaning is possible.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cleaning member can be rotatably supported by the frame body with a simple configuration without using another member such as a pin, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the simple assembly can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27 is integrally formed with the cleaning frame body 27 (particularly, the cleaning frame body 27A) by plastic. The contact portion 8a of the cleaning member 6 is formed at the same time when the support member 8 of the cleaning member 6 is punched out by sheet metal pressing. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the manufacturing process of the cleaning frame 27 and the cleaning member 6 relating to the support structure of the cleaning member 6 is small, which is advantageous in terms of reducing manufacturing costs and stabilizing manufacturing accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x of the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame 27 are described as having an arc shape in cross section when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. did. However, the shape of the support part 27b is not limited to this.

  As other shapes for realizing the same effect as the present embodiment, for example, there are shapes as shown in FIGS. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the inner surface 27A1 side of the cleaning frame body 27 (particularly, the cleaning frame body 27A). FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the cleaning member 6 and the cleaning frame 27 showing the contact state between the contact portion 8 a of the cleaning member 6 and the support portion 27 b of the cleaning frame body 27. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 can be a protrusion shape having a vertex. Also in this case, as in the present embodiment, the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x are lines extending along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and formed at the apexes, respectively. It contacts the contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 16, the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x may be in contact with the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x, respectively. Good. 16A is a front view of the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27 as viewed from the cleaning member 6, and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27. FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the two dome-shaped apexes formed on the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27 are the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x, respectively. Of course, the shape of the support portion 27 is not limited to the above-described arc shape or protrusion shape having a vertex. Even if the support part 27b having the first support part 27y and the second support part 27x having other shapes is used, the support having the arc-shaped first support part 27y and the second support part 27x in the present embodiment is used. The same effect as that obtained when the portion 27b is used can be obtained.

Example 2
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configurations of the cleaning unit, the process cartridge, and the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, elements having the same functions or configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, the one end portion (front end portion) side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 70 (substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1) will be described in detail, but the other end portion (back end portion) side is also described. Unless otherwise noted, the configuration is similar (substantially symmetrical).

  In the present embodiment, even when the contact portion 8a of the cleaning member 6 is displaced with respect to the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame 27 at the time of distribution or the like, it is returned to the original position by the urging force of the urging member. The position of the cleaning member 6 is stabilized. Further, in this embodiment, the positional deviation in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 6 with respect to the cleaning frame 27 is also suppressed.

  First, a method for positioning the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 26 as viewed from the drum front bearing 10 side with the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 2 removed.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the present embodiment, the cleaning member 6 is provided with a positioning hole 8 c for determining the position of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cleaning frame body 27. In the present embodiment, the positioning hole 8c is a long hole formed in the vicinity of the longitudinal end of the main portion 8A of the support member 8 and extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A. The positioning hole 8c engages with a positioning boss 27f provided in the cleaning frame 27, and the position of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cleaning frame 27 can be rotated with the contact portion 8a as a rotation axis. I can decide. In the present embodiment, the positioning boss 27f is a substantially cylindrical protrusion provided so as to stand up from the inner surface 27A1 of the cleaning frame 27.

  In this embodiment, the positioning hole 8c and the positioning boss 27f are disposed only on one end (front end) side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit 26. However, it is not limited to this, You may arrange | position only at the other end (back side edge part) side.

  Next, when the process cartridge 70 drops, for example, in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3), the contact portion 8a of the cleaning member 6 and the cleaning frame 27 The state of the support part 27b will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 26 with the developing unit 4 removed. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit 26 as viewed from the drum front bearing 10 side. FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning member 6 and the cleaning frame 27 in a state where the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary. FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning member 6 and the cleaning frame 27 when the process cartridge 70 is dropped.

  As shown in FIG. 17, at the longitudinal end of the main portion 8A of the support member 8 of the cleaning member 6, a protruding portion (convex shape) 8d serving as a restricted portion is disposed so as to be opposed to a restricting portion 27g described later. Is provided protruding. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 8d has a substantially orthogonal tetrahedral shape in which one side surface is continuous with the end side surface in the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A of the support member 8. And the side surface which is the same plane as 2nd side surface 8A2 of the main part 8A of the supporting member 8 among the side surfaces of this protrusion part 8d opposes and contacts the control part 27g mentioned later. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 8 d is provided adjacent to the bent portion 8 D of the main portion 8 A of the support member 8.

  On the other hand, the longitudinal end of the cleaning frame 27 (particularly, the cleaning frame main body 27A in this embodiment) is opposed to the protruding portion 8d of the cleaning member 6 with a predetermined distance (from the protruding portion 8d − In the Y direction), a restricting portion 27g is provided. That is, in this embodiment, the cleaning frame 27 (particularly the cleaning frame body 27A) is opposed to the protrusion 8d of the cleaning member 6 from the photosensitive drum 1 side with a predetermined interval. A restricting portion 27g is provided.

  In the restricting portion 27g, when an impact is applied by dropping the process cartridge 70, the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x are displaced with respect to the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x ( -Y direction) and restricts the contact portion 8a from coming off the support portion 27b. Then, due to the urging force of the tension spring 29, the position of the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x relative to the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x is such that the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum. 1 returns to its original position when it is stationary. The reason will be described later.

  In this embodiment, in the short direction of the main portion 8A of the support member 8, the contact portion 8a is disposed on the rubber blade 7 side, and the protruding portion 8d is disposed on the bent portion 8D side. However, the arrangement of the contact portion 8a and the protruding portion 8d in the short direction of the main portion 8A of the support member 8 may be interchanged.

FIG. 20 shows a state where the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary. In this state, the first support portion 27y has an arcuate outer peripheral surface vertex (a contact position between the first contact portion 8y and the first support portion 27y) as a first vertex 27i. In addition, a second vertex 27j is defined as a vertex (a contact position between the second contact portion 8x and the second support portion 27y) of the outer peripheral surface having a circular cross section of the second support portion 27x in the same state. The distance between the first vertex 27i and the second vertex 27j in the direction in which the first contact portion 8y is separated from the first support portion 27y (generally in the −Y direction) is defined as W1. In the same state, the distance between the protruding portion 8d and the restricting portion 27g facing the protruding portion 8d (generally in the −Y direction) is W2. That is, the restricting portion 27g is disposed at a position separated from the protruding portion 8d by a distance W2 (> 0). As a result, the movement of the protruding portion 8d can be restricted by the restricting portion 27g without hindering the rotation of the cleaning member 6 having the contact portion 8a as the rotation axis. The distance W1 and the distance W2 have a relationship of distance W1 ≧ distance W2. The reason will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when an impact is applied to the process cartridge 70 by dropping or the like, the following may occur. That is, in the cleaning member 6, the first contact portion 8 y of the support member 8 is separated from the first support portion 27 y of the cleaning frame 27 with the contact position J between the tip portion 7 a of the rubber blade 7 and the photosensitive drum 1 as a fulcrum. May rotate in the direction (arrow E direction in the figure).

  At this time, the protruding portion 8d of the support member 8 comes into contact with the restricting portion 27g of the cleaning frame 27, and the rotation in the above direction is restricted. The contact position with the second support part 27x on the second contact part 8x at this time is defined as a contact position 8f at the time of displacement. Further, when the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary, the contact position with the second support portion 27x on the second contact portion 8x is the rest contact position 8e (FIG. 20). To do. In this case, the position of the contact position 8f at the time of displacement is substantially a position moved by W2 in the Y direction from the contact position 8e at rest. Here, as described above, the relationship of distance W1 ≧ distance W2 is established (FIG. 20). Thus, the relationship between the movement distance W2 when the impact is applied and the maximum movement distance W1 that can maintain the state where the second contact portion 8x is in contact with the second support portion 27x is expressed as: distance W1 = distance W2. Or a relationship of distance W1> distance W2.

  Therefore, the contact part 8a of the support member 8 does not come off from the second support part 27x. Further, since the restricting portion 27g is located in the distance relationship as described above, the process cartridge 70 is placed still on the contact portion 8a of the support member 8 by the urging force F4y of the tension spring 29 in the Y direction. The drum 1 returns to the original position in a stationary state. Thus, by satisfying the distance relationship W1 ≧ W2, the position of the cleaning member 6 is stabilized even when an impact is applied due to the process cartridge 70 dropping or the like.

  As described above, the cleaning frame body 27 includes the restriction portion 27g that restricts the movement of the contact portion 8a in the direction in which the first contact portion 8y moves away from the first support portion 27y. The restricting portion 27g faces the protruding portion 8d of the cleaning member 6 from the photosensitive drum side with a predetermined interval so as to allow the cleaning member 6 to rotate with the contact portion 8a as a rotation axis. . More specifically, the distance from the contact position between the first contact portion 8y and the first support portion 27y to the contact position between the second contact portion 8x and the second support portion 27x in the direction of separation is the predetermined value. More than the interval. The restricting portions 27g are desirably provided at two or more locations in the direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Thereby, the position of the cleaning member 6 at the time of physical distribution can be further stabilized. In the present embodiment, the restricting portion 27g is provided corresponding to each of both end portions of the cleaning member 6 in the direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. If desired, the regulating member 27g can be provided only at one position in the direction along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, such as one end portion of the cleaning member 6 in the direction along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. .

  Next, the assembly procedure of the cleaning unit 26 in the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 19, first, the protruding portion 8d is temporarily placed on the temporary receiving portion 27k so that the protruding portion 8d of the support member 8 is passed through the opening 27l of the temporary receiving portion 27k of the cleaning frame 27 (see FIG. 19). Arrow F direction in the figure). The temporary receiving portion 27k is the inner surface 27A1 of the cleaning frame 27 facing the restricting portion 27g, and the opening portion 27l is a gap between the tip of the restricting portion 27g on the support portion 27b side and the support portion 27b (see FIG. 20). Here, the distance W10 (X direction) between the tip of the restricting portion 27g and the support portion 27b in the opening portion 27l of the temporary receiving portion 27k is such that the protruding portion 8d can pass therethrough. The dimension is larger than the dimension in the same direction.

  Next, the contact portion 8 a of the support member 8 is brought into contact with the support portion 27 b of the cleaning frame body 27. At this time, the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x of the support member 8 are in contact with the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x of the cleaning frame body 27, so that the cleaning frame body 27 is roughly outlined. Position can be determined. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, the positioning hole 8c of the cleaning member 6 and the positioning boss 27f of the cleaning frame 27 are engaged. The positioning hole 8c is an elongated round hole that is long in the short direction (X direction) of the main portion 8A of the support member 8 as described above, and the end of the positioning hole 8c in the same direction and the positioning boss 27f There is a gap between them. On the other hand, in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 8, the positioning hole 8c and the positioning boss 27f are set to have a fitting relationship. Accordingly, the longitudinal position of the cleaning member 6 with respect to the cleaning frame body 27 can be determined without hindering the rotation of the cleaning member 6 with the contact portion 8a as the rotation axis.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the charging roller bearing 28 and the charging roller pressing member 46 are mounted on the receiving portion 27e of the cleaning frame 27 from the direction of arrow G in the figure. Thereafter, the charging roller 2 is attached to the cleaning roller 27 by attaching the charging roller 2 to the charging roller 28 from the direction of arrow G in the figure.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the flange 85 of the photosensitive drum 1 is temporarily placed on the drum positioning portion 27 d provided on the cleaning frame 27. The inner diameter dimension of the drum positioning portion 27d is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the flange 85 of the photosensitive drum 1, and temporarily determines the position of the photosensitive drum 1 on the cleaning frame 27.

  Next, the drum front bearing member 10 is mounted on the cleaning frame 27 from the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 as indicated by an arrow H in the drawing. The drum front bearing 10 includes a rotation shaft support portion 10a of the photosensitive drum 1, and the drum front bearing 10 is attached to the cleaning frame 27, whereby the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotation shaft support portion 10a are mutually connected. Is positioned. Here, the bearing positioning portion 10b of the drum front bearing 10 and the drum positioning portion 27d of the cleaning frame body 27 are formed to have a size to be fitted to each other. The position of the front bearing 10 is determined. Further, the drum front bearing 10 and the cleaning frame 27 are provided with positioning means (not shown) for positioning in the cross-sectional direction (rotational direction) substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. By engaging these, positioning in the cross-sectional direction is performed.

  In this state, the drum front bearing 10 and the cleaning frame body 27 are fixed by a fixing means such as a screw 30, and the attachment of the drum front bearing 10 to the cleaning frame body 27 is completed.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 19, a tension spring 29 is stretched between the attachment portion 8 b of the cleaning member 6 and the boss 27 c of the cleaning frame body 27.

  Here, the assembly procedure of the cleaning unit 26 has been described focusing on one end portion (front end portion) in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit 26, but the same procedure as described above is synchronized with the other end portion (back end portion). And do it. At the other end (back end) of the cleaning unit 26, the drum back bearing 11 is attached to the cleaning frame 27 by the same method as described above. In this embodiment, as described above, the positioning hole 8c of the cleaning member 6 and the positioning boss 27f of the cleaning frame body 27 are provided on the other end (back end) side of the cleaning unit 26. Absent.

  As a result, the assembly of the cleaning unit 26 is completed, and the cleaning member 6 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure so that cleaning is possible.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the contact portion 8a of the cleaning member 6 is displaced from the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body during distribution or the like, it is restricted by the restriction portion 27g and the tension spring 29 is attached. By returning to the original position by the force, the position of the cleaning member 6 can be stabilized.

Example 3
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configurations of the cleaning unit, the process cartridge, and the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment are the same as those in the second embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, elements having the same functions or configurations as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, another example of a configuration for stabilizing the position of the cleaning member 6 at the time of physical distribution as in the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit 26 as viewed from the drum front bearing 10 side with the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the like removed. FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit 26 as viewed from the drum front bearing 10 side. FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning member 6 and the cleaning frame 27 in a state where the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary. FIG. 25 is a partial sectional view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning member 6 and the cleaning frame 27 when the process cartridge 70 is dropped.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in this embodiment, a restricting portion 10 c is provided at the end of the drum front bearing 10 (end on the cleaning frame body 27 </ b> A side) in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The restricting portion 10c is provided at a position facing the protruding portion 8d of the cleaning member 6 with a predetermined interval (from the protruding portion 8d to the −Y direction). That is, in this embodiment, the drum front bearing 10 constituting the cleaning frame body 27 together with the cleaning frame body 27A is opposed to the protruding portion 8d of the cleaning member 6 from the photosensitive drum 1 side with a predetermined interval. As described above, the restricting portion 10c is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 24, as in the second embodiment, the distance between the first vertex 27i and the second vertex 27j in the direction in which the first contact portion 8y is separated from the first support portion 27y (generally -Y direction). Is W1. Further, the distance (generally in the −Y direction) between the protruding portion 8d and the regulating portion 10c facing the process cartridge 70 in a state where the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary is defined as W3. That is, the restricting portion 10c is disposed at a position separated from the protruding portion 8d by a distance W3 (> 0). As a result, the movement of the protruding portion 8d can be restricted by the restricting portion 10c without hindering the rotation of the cleaning member 6 having the contact portion 8a as the rotation axis. The distance W1 and the distance W3 have a relationship of distance W1 ≧ distance W3. The reason will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 25, when an impact is applied to the process cartridge 70 by dropping or the like, the following may occur. That is, in the cleaning member 6, the first contact portion 8 y of the support member 8 is separated from the first support portion 27 y of the cleaning frame 27 with the contact position J between the tip portion 7 a of the rubber blade 7 and the photosensitive drum 1 as a fulcrum. May rotate in the direction (arrow E direction in the figure).

  At this time, the protrusion 8d of the support member 8 comes into contact with the restricting portion 10c of the drum front bearing 10 and the rotation in the above direction is restricted. The contact position with the second contact part 27x on the second contact part 8x at this time is defined as a contact position 8f at the time of displacement. Further, the contact position with the second support portion 27x on the second contact portion 8x when the process cartridge 70 is stationary and the photosensitive drum 1 is stationary is the rest contact position 8e (FIG. 24). To do. In this case, the position of the contact position 8f at the time of displacement is substantially the position moved by W3 in the Y direction from the contact position 8e at rest. Here, as described above, the relationship of distance W1 ≧ distance W3 is established (FIG. 24). Thereby, the relationship between the movement distance W3 when the impact is applied and the maximum movement distance W1 that can maintain the state where the second contact portion 8x is in contact with the second support portion 27x is expressed as the distance W1 = the distance W3. Or a relationship of distance W1> distance W3.

  Therefore, the contact part 8a of the support member 8 does not come off from the second support part 27x. Further, since the restricting portion 10c is located in the distance relationship as described above, the process cartridge 70 is placed still on the abutting portion 8a of the support member 8 by the urging force F4y of the tension spring 29 in the Y direction, and the photosensitive member. The drum 1 returns to the original position in a stationary state. Thus, by satisfying the distance relationship W1 ≧ W3, the position of the cleaning member 6 is stabilized even when an impact is applied due to the process cartridge 70 dropping or the like.

  Next, the assembly procedure of the cleaning unit 26 in the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 23, first, the contact portion 8 a of the support member 8 is brought into contact with the support portion 27 b of the cleaning frame body 27. At this time, the first contact portion 8y and the second contact portion 8x of the support member 8 are in contact with the first support portion 27y and the second support portion 27x of the cleaning frame body 27, so that the cleaning frame body 27 is roughly outlined. Position can be determined.

  Thereafter, the cleaning member 6 is positioned in the longitudinal direction, the charging roller 2 is assembled to the cleaning frame body 27, and the photosensitive drum 1 and the drum front bearing 10 are attached to the cleaning frame body 27 in the same procedure as in the second embodiment. Assemble.

  When the drum front bearing 10 is attached to the cleaning frame 27, the restricting portion 10 c of the drum front bearing 10 is inserted into the opening 27 h provided in the cleaning frame 27. Here, as shown in FIG. 24, the distance W11 (X direction) of the opening 27h is larger than the dimension of the restricting portion 10c in the same direction so that the restricting portion 10c of the drum front bearing 10 can be inserted. It is a dimension.

  In this state, the drum front bearing 10 and the cleaning frame body 27 are fixed by a fixing means such as a screw 30, and the attachment of the drum front bearing 10 to the cleaning frame body 27 is completed.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 24, a tension spring 29 is stretched between the attachment portion 8 b of the cleaning member 6 and the boss 27 c of the cleaning frame body 27.

  Here, the assembly procedure of the cleaning unit 26 has been described focusing on one end portion (front end portion) in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit 26, but the same procedure as described above is synchronized with the other end portion (back end portion). And do it. At the other end (back end) of the cleaning unit 26, the drum back bearing 11 is attached to the cleaning frame 27 by the same method as described above. In this embodiment, as described above, the positioning hole 8c of the cleaning member 6 and the positioning boss 27f of the cleaning frame body 27 are provided on the other end (back end) side of the cleaning unit 26. Absent.

  As a result, the assembly of the cleaning unit 26 is completed, and the cleaning member 6 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure so that cleaning is possible. At this time, a distance W3 between the restriction portion 10c of the drum front bearing 10 and the protruding portion 8d of the support member 8 is formed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the restricting portion 10c on the drum bearing member 10, the position of the cleaning member 6 at the time of physical distribution can be stabilized and the assemblability can be further improved as in the second embodiment. .

Example 4
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configurations of the cleaning unit, the process cartridge, and the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, elements having the same or equivalent functions and configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, another example of a configuration that suppresses the displacement of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction will be described.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the cleaning member 6 is provided with a positioned portion 8 m for determining the position of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cleaning frame body 27. Yes. In the present embodiment, the positioned portion 8m is formed by providing a through hole 8g in the vicinity of the end portion of the main portion 8A of the support portion 8 in the longitudinal direction. The positioned portion 8m is a columnar portion having a side surface in the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A of the support member 8 and an inner surface of the through hole 8g and extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A. .

  The positioned portion 8m has a first positioned surface 8p adjacent to the second abutting portion 8x of the abutting portion 8a, and a second positioned surface 8s facing the first positioned surface 8p. In the to-be-positioned portion 8m, the first to-be-positioned surface 8p is configured by the end side surface in the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A. Further, in the positioned portion 8m, the second positioned surface 8s is constituted by the inner surface of the through hole 8g, and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8A (ie, the short direction). Yes.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the cleaning frame 27 is provided with a positioning portion 27m in order to determine the position of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cleaning frame 27. The positioning portion 27m includes a first positioning surface 27p that contacts the first positioned surface 8p, and a second positioning surface 27s that faces the first positioning surface 27p and contacts the second positioned surface 8s. . The first positioning surface 27p and the second positioning surface 27s extend from the inner surface 27A1 of the cleaning frame body 27 in the −Y direction, respectively.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27 is provided along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 provided so as to protrude from the inner surface 27A1 of the cleaning frame body 27, as in the first embodiment. The cross section seen is formed on a substantially L-shaped base portion 27b1. In the present embodiment, the first positioning surface 27p is configured by the side surface of the horizontal base portion 27b3 on the support member 8 side along the −Y direction of the base portion 27b1. Further, in this embodiment, at the position facing the horizontal base portion 27b3 of the support portion 27b in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, it protrudes from the inner surface 27A1 of the cleaning frame 27 in the same shape as the horizontal base portion 27b3. Thus, a protrusion 27n is provided. This protrusion 27n is inserted into the through hole 8g. In the present embodiment, the second positioning surface 27s is constituted by a side surface of the protruding portion 27n on the end side in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 28, the positioned portion 8 m of the cleaning member 6 is engaged with the positioning portion 27 m of the cleaning frame 27. Accordingly, the position of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cleaning frame 27 can be determined while the cleaning member 6 is rotatable about the contact portion 8a as a rotation axis.

  The first positioning surface 8p, the second positioning surface 8s, the first positioning surface 27p, and the second positioning surface 27s are in contact with each other, and the region in which the longitudinal position of the cleaning member 6 is determined is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a positioning region 90 is indicated by a hatched portion (hatched portion).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the first positioned surface 8p is a surface adjacent to the second contact portion 8x, and the positioning region 90 is at a position close to the rotation center 8c of the cleaning member 6. As a result, when the cleaning member 6 rotates within the rotatable range θ, the first positioned surface 8p, the second positioned surface 8s, the first positioning surface 27p, and the second positioning surface 27s slide. The amount of movement can be suppressed to a small amount. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the first positioned surface 8p, the second positioned surface 8s, the first positioning surface 27p, and the second positioning surface 27s from being scraped.

  In the present embodiment, the longitudinal positioning configuration of the cleaning member 6 with respect to the cleaning frame 27 is provided at one position on the one end portion (front end portion) side of the photosensitive drum 1 in the rotation axis direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 30, in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 6, the support member 8 and the support portion 27b at the ends opposite to the first positioned surface 8p and the first positioning surface 27p side of the present embodiment are provided. By using the side surface, the second positioning surface 8s and the second positioning surface 27s may be used. Also in this case, the second positioned surface 8s, which is the side surface of the support member 8 at the opposite end, faces the first positioned surface 8p.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the positioned surface for determining the position of the cleaning member 6 in the longitudinal direction is provided adjacent to the supported surface of the cleaning member 6 (particularly, the second contact portion 8x). In particular, in this embodiment, the side surface of the support portion 27b of the cleaning frame body 27 is used as a positioning surface to be engaged with the positioned surface of the cleaning member 6. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the scraping of the cleaning frame body 27 and the cleaning member 6 due to the rotation of the cleaning member 6.

Other Embodiments Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In the above-described embodiment, the contact portion 8a is provided so as to protrude from the longitudinal end portion of the main portion 8A of the support member 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 31A, the side surface of the main portion 8A adjacent to the bent portion 8D of the support member 8 and the side surface of the reinforcing portion 8B are respectively set at the first and second end portions of the support member 8 in the longitudinal direction. It can be used as the contact part 8y and the second contact part 8x. In addition, you may form the part bent with respect to 8 A of main parts similarly to the reinforcement part 8B only in the both ends of the longitudinal direction of the supporting member 8. FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, the support member 8 has been described as having the main portion 8A and the reinforcing portion 8B bent with respect to the main portion 8A in the bent portion 8D, but the present invention is limited to this. Is not to be done. For example, as shown in FIG. 31 (b), the support member 8 has only a portion corresponding to the main portion 8A in the above embodiment, and a contact portion similar to that in the above embodiment at the end in the longitudinal direction thereof. 8a may be included. In the above-described embodiment, the biasing member is a tension spring. However, for example, when the support member 8 shown in FIG. 31B is used, the biasing member is a compression spring 49. Also good. In this case, a compression spring 49 is disposed between the receiving portion provided on the cleaning frame and the action portion of the urging member in the support member 8, and the contact portion 8 a is disposed in the direction in which the rubber blade contacts the photosensitive drum 1. The support member 8 can be urged to rotate as a rotation axis.

1 Photosensitive drum 4 Developing unit 6 Cleaning member 7 Rubber blade (elastic member)
8 Support member 8a Frame body contact part (contact part)
8d Protruding part (regulated part)
8p 1st to-be-positioned surface 8s 2nd to-be-positioned surface 8y 1st contact part 8x 2nd contact part 8A Main part 26 Cleaning unit 27 Cleaning frame 27a Removal toner chamber 27b Support part 27g Control part 27p 1st positioning surface 27s Second positioning surface 27x Second support portion 27y First support portion 29 Tension spring (biasing member)
100 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Claims (19)

In a cleaning unit comprising: a rotatable photosensitive drum; a cleaning member that removes toner from the photosensitive drum; and a frame that supports the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member.
The cleaning member includes an elastic member that contacts the photosensitive drum, and a support member that supports the elastic member,
The support member has a frame contact portion that contacts the frame at each of both end portions in a direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum,
The frame body abutting portion includes a first abutting portion constituted by surfaces extending in directions intersecting each other and a second abutting portion, and the first abutting portion is formed on the photosensitive drum. When viewed along the rotational axis direction, the first axis line from the frame contact part toward the elastic member faces the opposite side to the photosensitive drum side, and the second contact part is , With respect to the second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, facing the side opposite to the elastic member side,
The frame body includes a cleaning member support portion that contacts the frame body contact portion at each of both end portions of the support member, and the frame body contact in a direction in which the first contact portion separates from the first support portion. A regulating part that regulates movement of the part ,
The cleaning member support portion includes a first support portion that contacts the first contact portion and a second support portion that contacts the second contact portion, and the cleaning member is attached to the frame body. Supporting the contact part as a rotation axis so that it can rotate,
The restricting portion has a predetermined interval from the photosensitive drum side with respect to the restricted portion of the cleaning member so as to allow the cleaning member to rotate with the frame body contact portion as a rotation axis. Opposite,
The cleaning unit further includes an urging member that urges the cleaning member in a direction to rotate the cleaning member about the frame body abutting portion as a rotation axis to bring the elastic member into contact with the photosensitive drum. A cleaning unit characterized by that.   The cleaning unit according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion is provided at two or more locations in a direction along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum.   The cleaning unit according to claim 2, wherein the restricting portion is provided corresponding to each of both end portions of the cleaning member in a direction along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum.   The support member has a plate-like main portion substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum, and the regulated portion is an end portion of the main portion in a direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum. The cleaning unit according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is provided so as to protrude from the main portion.   The distance from the contact position between the first contact portion and the first support portion to the contact position between the second contact portion and the second support portion in the separating direction is not less than the predetermined interval. The cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   The frame body is formed by coupling at least a first frame body portion provided with the cleaning member support portion and a second frame body portion that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum, The cleaning unit according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion is provided in the second frame portion.   7. The first support part and the second support part have a circular arc shape or a protrusion shape having a vertex as viewed in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum. The cleaning unit according to any one of the above.   In a cleaning unit comprising: a rotatable photosensitive drum; a cleaning member that removes toner from the photosensitive drum; and a frame that supports the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member.
  The cleaning member includes an elastic member that contacts the photosensitive drum, and a support member that supports the elastic member,
  The support member has a frame contact portion that contacts the frame at each of both end portions in a direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum,
  The frame body abutting portion includes a first abutting portion constituted by surfaces extending in directions intersecting each other and a second abutting portion, and the first abutting portion is formed on the photosensitive drum. When viewed along the rotational axis direction, the first axis line from the frame contact part toward the elastic member faces the opposite side to the photosensitive drum side, and the second contact part is , With respect to the second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, facing the side opposite to the elastic member side,
  The frame body has a cleaning member support portion that contacts the frame body contact portion at each of the both end portions of the support member,
  The cleaning member support portion includes a first support portion that contacts the first contact portion and a second support portion that contacts the second contact portion, and the cleaning member is attached to the frame body. Supporting the contact part as a rotation axis so that it can rotate,
  The first support part and the second support part have a circular arc shape or a protrusion shape having a vertex as viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum,
  The cleaning unit further includes an urging member that urges the cleaning member in a direction to rotate the cleaning member about the frame body abutting portion as a rotation axis to bring the elastic member into contact with the photosensitive drum. A cleaning unit characterized by that. The support member has a plate-like main portion substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum, and the frame contact portion is in a direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum of the main portion. the cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that it protrudes from the main portion in each of both ends. The cleaning unit according to claim 9 , wherein the first contact portion is flush with a surface of the main portion opposite to the photosensitive drum side with respect to the first axis. The support member is formed of a sheet metal punched by press working, the second contact portion is a punched surface by the press working, and the second support portion is in contact with a shear region of the punched surface. The cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein: A straight line extending along the second axis from the contact position between the first contact portion and the first support portion when viewed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, and the second contact The distance from the intersection of the contact position between the portion and the second support portion to a straight line extending along the first axis to each contact position is substantially equidistant. the cleaning unit according to any one of 11. A straight line extending along the second axis from the contact position between the first contact portion and the first support portion when viewed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, and the second contact A distance from the intersection of a contact position between the elastic member and the second support portion to a contact position between the elastic member and the photosensitive drum from an intersection with a straight line extending along the first axis, and the support member relative to the support member. the cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and distance to the action of the biasing member, characterized in that it is a substantially equal distance. The support member has a first positioned surface adjacent to the frame abutting portion and configured by a side surface of an end portion of the support member in a direction along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum, and the first positioned member. A second positioned surface facing the surface,
The frame body is in contact with the first positioned surface to determine the position of the photosensitive drum in the rotational axis direction, and the frame body is in contact with the second positioned surface and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum. The cleaning unit according to claim 1, further comprising a second positioning surface that determines a position in a direction. The support member has a plate-like main portion substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum, and the frame contact portion is in a direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum of the main portion. It is provided protruding from the end,
The first positioned surface is constituted by an end side surface in a direction along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum of the main portion, which is adjacent to the second contact portion.
15. The cleaning unit according to claim 14, wherein the first positioning surface is configured by a side surface of a base portion provided to protrude from an inner surface of the frame body and on which the second support portion is formed. The second positioned surface is constituted by an inner surface of a hole formed in the main part,
The cleaning unit according to claim 15, wherein the second positioning surface is configured by a side surface of a protruding portion that is provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the frame body and is inserted into the hole.   17. The first and second positioned surfaces and the first and second positioning surfaces are respectively provided at one place in a direction along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum. Cleaning unit.   An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising the cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording material, fixed, and output. Process cartridge.   An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the process cartridge according to claim 18 in a detachable manner, and transferring and fixing a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum onto a recording material.

Images